WO2001096714A1 - Method for producing carbon/plastic bricks for use in an evaporative control system - Google Patents
Method for producing carbon/plastic bricks for use in an evaporative control system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2001096714A1 WO2001096714A1 PCT/US2001/019111 US0119111W WO0196714A1 WO 2001096714 A1 WO2001096714 A1 WO 2001096714A1 US 0119111 W US0119111 W US 0119111W WO 0196714 A1 WO0196714 A1 WO 0196714A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- fuel
- fuel vapor
- brick
- homogeneous mixture
- plastic
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
- B60K15/00—Arrangement in connection with fuel supply of combustion engines or other fuel consuming energy converters, e.g. fuel cells; Mounting or construction of fuel tanks
- B60K15/03—Fuel tanks
- B60K15/035—Fuel tanks characterised by venting means
- B60K15/03504—Fuel tanks characterised by venting means adapted to avoid loss of fuel or fuel vapour, e.g. with vapour recovery systems
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
- F02M—SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
- F02M25/00—Engine-pertinent apparatus for adding non-fuel substances or small quantities of secondary fuel to combustion-air, main fuel or fuel-air mixture
- F02M25/08—Engine-pertinent apparatus for adding non-fuel substances or small quantities of secondary fuel to combustion-air, main fuel or fuel-air mixture adding fuel vapours drawn from engine fuel reservoir
- F02M25/0854—Details of the absorption canister
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
- B60K15/00—Arrangement in connection with fuel supply of combustion engines or other fuel consuming energy converters, e.g. fuel cells; Mounting or construction of fuel tanks
- B60K15/03—Fuel tanks
- B60K15/035—Fuel tanks characterised by venting means
- B60K2015/03542—Mounting of the venting means
- B60K2015/03557—Mounting of the venting means comprising elements of the venting device integrated in the fuel tank, e.g. vapor recovery means
Definitions
- the present invention relates generally to evaporative control systems and more particularly to a method for producing carbon/plastic bricks for use in an evaporative control system.
- Known types of on-board fuel vapor management systems comprise a vapor collection canister that collects and stores fuel vapor emitted from a tank containing volatile liquid fuel for the engine.
- a canister purge solenoid (CPS) valve periodically purges collected vapor to an intake manifold of the engine where it entrains with induction air or with an induction air-fuel charge for combustion in the engine combustion chamber space.
- CPS valve comprises a solenoid that is under the control of a microprocessor-based engine management system. Because vapor storage systems such as carbon canisters have a finite capacity to adsorb fuel vapor, fuel vapor may be periodically emitted into the atmosphere when vapor storage systems exceed adsorption capacity.
- the present invention offers many advantages over the carbon canister technology.
- the carbon brick can be shaped into any desired geometry to custom fit a particular cavity on the fuel tank or fuel tank attachments.
- the carbon canister and its associated attachments are unnecessary, resulting in cost reductions related to manufacturing and assembly of the additional parts.
- the addition of plastic to the activated carbon reduces carbon dust, which eliminates the need for dust filtering devices.
- the new carbon brick invention has low flow restriction within the fuel tank.
- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a fuel vapor storage system according to the prior art
- Figure 2 is a perspective view of one preferred embodiment of the present invention containing carbon/plastic bricks
- FIG 3 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention in which the carbon/plastic brick is contained an impermeable housing within the fuel tank;
- Figure 4 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention in which the carbon/plastic brick is contained within a cavity region of the fuel tank;
- Figure 5 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention in which the carbon/plastic brick is contained within a multilayer wall of a multilayer plastic fuel tank; and [0014] Figure 6 is a logic flow diagram for preparing the carbon/plastic bricks according to the preferred embodiments of the present invention.
- a fuel vapor storage system 10 having as its major components a fuel tank 12, a fuel vapor line 14, a fuel vapor storage canister 16, a canister vent valve 18, a dust/filter separator 20, a fresh air vent line 22, and a vapor management valve 24.
- Fuel vapor generation is a function of many factors. For instance, as the temperature increases in the fuel tank 12, more fuel vapor is generated. Also, as fuel levels within the fuel tank 12 decrease, or when fuel is sloshing within the fuel tank 12, excess fuel vapor is generated. Perhaps the greatest source of fuel vapor generation occurs when fuel is added to the fuel tank 12 through the gas line 30 when the gas cap 32 is removed.
- the fuel vapor storage canister 16 contains an active material (preferably carbon pellets 28 or granules) for adsorbing fuel vapor.
- the capacity of fuel vapor adsorption by the carbon pellets 28 is a function of the composition and surface area of the carbon pellets 28 within the canister 16. If the amount of fuel vapor exceeds the capacity of fuel vapor adsorption capability of the carbon pellets 22, excess fuel vapor is vented through the canister vent valve 18, the dust/filter separator 20, and out the fresh air vent line 22.
- the vapor management valve 24 is closed, thus preventing fuel vapor from entering the engine 26 from the fuel vapor line 14 and preventing fuel vapor not combusted in the engine 26 from reentering the fuel line 14.
- the vapor management valve 24 When the engine 26 is running, the vapor management valve 24 is opened. An intake manifold vacuum acts on the fuel vapor storage system 10. This vacuum causes fresh air to flow into the fresh air vent line 22, through the dust/filter separator 20 and canister vent valve 18, and into the canister 16. The fresh air picks up the stored fuel vapors (the fuel vapor is deadsorbed by the carbon pellets 28) in the canister 16 and carries them through a fuel vapor line 14. The vapors pass through the open vapor management valve 24 and enter the intake manifold (not shown) of the engine 26 and into the combustion chambers for burning.
- FIG. 2 the first preferred embodiment of the present invention is depicted wherein a new carbon/plastic brick 34 replaces the carbon pellets 28 within the canister 16.
- the process for making the brick 34 is described below in Figure 6.
- the shape of the carbon/plastic brick 34 substantially fills the inside portion of the canister 16.
- no spring plates (not shown), or other type of compacting mechanism, are necessary to ensure that the carbon pellets 28 are packed properly to prevent leakage or to ensure that the carbon bed integrity is maintained throughout the usable life of the canister 16.
- Figures 3, 4 and 5 depict three alternative preferred embodiments of the present invention in which the canister 16 is eliminated as a separate discrete part.
- Figures 3 and 4 may be used with multilayer plastic fuel tanks or metal tanks, while Figure 5 is specifically for use in multilayer plastic fuel tanks.
- the carbon/plastic brick is placed within the fuel tank or fuel tank attachment. The process for making the carbon/plastic brick is described below in Figure 6.
- the system 50 has a fuel tank 52, a fuel vapor line 54, a vapor management valve 56, a filler pipe 58, a fuel cap 60, and an internal combustion engine 62.
- the carbon/plastic brick 64 is placed within an area of the fuel tank 62 that is not normally exposed to liquid fuel 66.
- the brick 64 is contained within an impermeable housing 68 composed of materials such as nylon or high-density polyethylene (HDPE).
- the housing 68 contains the inlet ports 70 to receive fuel vapor and the outlet port 72 coupled to the vent line 74.
- the inlet port 70 is positioned near the top portion of the fuel tank 52, where fuel vapor tends to accumulate.
- the housing 68 may be mounted or otherwise affixed to the tank 52 in ways that are well known in the art.
- the brick 64 is placed within a cavity 76 formed on the fuel tank 52 of the fuel vapor storage system 61 , as opposed to within the impermeable housing 68 as in Figure 3.
- the cavity 76 prevents exposure of the brick 64 to fuel 66 slosh.
- the brick 64 has inlet ports 78 to receive fuel vapor and an outlet port 80 coupled to the vent line 74. Again, the inlet port 78 is positioned in the top portion of the fuel tank 52. Further, the shape of the brick 64 is substantially similar to the shape of the cavity 76.
- the carbon brick 64 is integrated between the layers of the multilayer plastic tank 84 when the tank is blow molded.
- An inlet port 86 is formed at the top portion of the tank 84 through a portion 88 of the multilayer wall 85 of the tank 84 and into the brick 64.
- an outlet port 90 is formed within another portion 91 of the multilayer wall 85 and is coupled to the vent line 72.
- the vapor management valve 56 When the engine 62 is running, the vapor management valve 56 is opened. An intake manifold vacuum acts on the fuel vapor storage system 50, 61 , 71. This vacuum causes fresh air to flow into the vent line 72, through the dust/filter separator 77 and into the carbon/plastic brick 64. The fresh air picks up the stored fuel vapors (the fuel vapor is deadsorbed by the activated carbon) in the brick 64 and carries them through a fuel vapor line 54. The vapors pass through the open vapor management valve 56 and enter the intake manifold (not shown) of the engine 62 and into the combustion chambers for burning.
- Step 100 carbon pellets and plastic beads are placed in a mixing apparatus.
- the mixture is approximately 70-97% by weight carbon (pelletized or granulated).
- the plastic beads preferably have a melting point of at least 80 degrees Celsius, are able to adsorb small amounts of hydrocarbon vapor, are non- abrasive, have the ability to bind to themselves, and do not interfere with the adsorption/deadsorption mechanism of the carbon pellets.
- this could include a wide variety of polyesters, fluoropolymers, or other various polyolefins.
- Step 110 tumbling or some other acceptable method mixes the carbon and plastic beads until they are substantially homogeneous.
- the homogeneous mixture is then placed in an oven at 80 degrees Celsius for 15-45 minutes in Step 120.
- the homogeneous mixture could be microwave heated or heated by some other acceptable method for a predetermined time at a predetermined frequency. At this point, the homogeneous mixture turns into a slurry and the plastic beads bind the carbon pellets together.
- Step 130 the homogeneous slurry is taken out of the oven and placed into a container.
- the mixture is then compressed to a desired shape under pressure in Step 140.
- this compression is between 20 and 60 psi.
- Step 150 the shaped carbon brick 34, 64 is prepared for placement in the fuel system 50. Depending on the bricks ultimate destination, it can wrapped in a semi- impermeable membrane, faced or molded onto a seal, or simply be left as is.
- the brick 34, 64 is then inserted or welded into the fuel tank 62, 84 or fuel tank attachments or other acceptable container in Step 160.
- the present invention offers many advantages over the prior art.
- First, the present invention has great geometric flexibility for optimum vehicle packaging.
- the size and shape of the bricks 34, 64 may be modified to accommodate a wide variety of sizes and shapes of fuel tanks or fuel tank attachments. This allows the bricks 34, 64 to be placed in fuel tanks or attachments without undo design changes.
- Second, the present invention may reduce or minimize the amount of discrete parts in a fuel tank assembly. For instance, carbon canisters may eliminated. Further, depending upon the system, mounting brackets may also be eliminated. This may result in cost savings to the manufacturer by reducing the number of assembly processes required.
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP01942203A EP1290315A1 (en) | 2000-06-15 | 2001-06-15 | Method for producing carbon/plastic bricks for use in an evaporative control system |
JP2002510811A JP2004503705A (en) | 2000-06-15 | 2001-06-15 | Method for producing carbon / plastic bricks for use in evaporation control systems |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US09/595,378 | 2000-06-15 | ||
US09/595,378 US6250081B1 (en) | 2000-06-15 | 2000-06-15 | Method for producing carbon/plastic bricks for use in an evaporative control system |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2001096714A1 true WO2001096714A1 (en) | 2001-12-20 |
Family
ID=24383012
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US2001/019111 WO2001096714A1 (en) | 2000-06-15 | 2001-06-15 | Method for producing carbon/plastic bricks for use in an evaporative control system |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US6250081B1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1290315A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2004503705A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2001096714A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE10133400C2 (en) * | 2001-07-13 | 2003-08-07 | Siemens Ag | Fuel tank |
ITTO20010945A1 (en) * | 2001-10-05 | 2003-04-05 | Dayco Fuel Man Spa | FUEL TANK. |
FR2840848B1 (en) * | 2002-06-13 | 2004-10-15 | Inst Francais Du Petrole | MULTILAYER STRUCTURE WITH CONTROLLED PERMEABILITY |
FR2840913B1 (en) * | 2002-06-13 | 2005-02-04 | Inst Francais Du Petrole | COMPOSITION FOR SINGLE-WALL TANK |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5219504A (en) * | 1989-04-07 | 1993-06-15 | Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company | Method of making sorbent, impact resistant container |
US6143058A (en) * | 1997-03-17 | 2000-11-07 | Donaldson Company, Inc. | Adsorbent construction and method |
US6146446A (en) * | 1998-10-08 | 2000-11-14 | Donaldson Company, Inc. | Filter assembly with shaped adsorbent article; and devices and methods of use |
Family Cites Families (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5149347A (en) * | 1991-02-28 | 1992-09-22 | General Motors Corporation | Water separator for fuel canister purge |
US5148793A (en) * | 1991-05-20 | 1992-09-22 | General Motors Corporation | Compartmental evaporative canister and pressure control valve assembly |
US5253629A (en) * | 1992-02-03 | 1993-10-19 | General Motors Corporation | Flow sensor for evaporative control system |
-
2000
- 2000-06-15 US US09/595,378 patent/US6250081B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2001
- 2001-06-15 EP EP01942203A patent/EP1290315A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2001-06-15 JP JP2002510811A patent/JP2004503705A/en active Pending
- 2001-06-15 WO PCT/US2001/019111 patent/WO2001096714A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5219504A (en) * | 1989-04-07 | 1993-06-15 | Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company | Method of making sorbent, impact resistant container |
US6143058A (en) * | 1997-03-17 | 2000-11-07 | Donaldson Company, Inc. | Adsorbent construction and method |
US6146446A (en) * | 1998-10-08 | 2000-11-14 | Donaldson Company, Inc. | Filter assembly with shaped adsorbent article; and devices and methods of use |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US6250081B1 (en) | 2001-06-26 |
EP1290315A1 (en) | 2003-03-12 |
JP2004503705A (en) | 2004-02-05 |
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